§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)On behalf of the hon. Member for Hythe, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the special facilities granted last year to Volunteer postmen to serve their fourteen days training, he will consider the expediency of continuing this year the concession of allowing them their pay as usual during their training.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)The circumstances 742 of last year were special, and are not regarded as establishing a precedent for this or other years. For all Volunteers belonging to those specially selected corps which go into camp for a fortnight's training the Government have recently raised the daily allowance to five shillings per man in order to cover the extra expenses necessitated by the longer attendance in camp and the consequent loss of civil wages on the part of the bulk of the members of those corps. In view of this general concession, no special treatment in respect of civil salary will be accorded to civil servants who are Volunteers; but the Government, being desirous of encouraging their employees to receive the benefits of the extended training, if their corps are selected, will grant a fortnight's special leave in such cases without civil salary.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)Do I understand that the Government propose to deduct the men's pay while they are in camp?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have said that in view of the concession made in respect of the capitation grant, no special treatment will be accorded them.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTMay I ask how is it possible to expect private employers to pay their men during training as Volunteers, when the Government will not set the example?